WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University will cap off its 100th anniversary celebrations with four events the weekend of Oct. 28-30: two concerts featuring alumna and soprano Jane Archibald, a one-of-a-kind “Ahead by a Century” centennial party and a video featuring highlights from the centennial year.

Archibald, who graduated from Laurier’s voice program in 1999, is a rising star on the international operatic scene, performing to ecstatic reviews at the Metropolitan, Paris, and Vienna State Operas. Immediately preceding her engagement at Laurier, she will make her debut at the iconic La Scala opera house in Italy. Archibald was Laurier’s 2011 alumna of the year and one of the university’s 100 Alumni of Achievement.

On Friday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m., she will perform opera excerpts with Laurier alumnus and tenor Adam Luther, the WLU Choir, the WLU Orchestra and Laurier Opera students at Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo.

“Sunday in the Hall with Jane” takes place Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. Archibald will perform with the WLU Orchestra, presenting Strauss’ Four Last Songs and other orchestral repertoire.

“Jane has a major international career and has sung leading roles in the outstanding opera houses of the world,” said Glen Carruthers, dean of the Faculty of Music. “I’m very grateful that she has made room in her hectic touring schedule for these two very special performances. It will be invaluable for our students to work alongside her while preparing two terrific and challenging programs.”

The “Ahead by a Century” event, which is led by steering committee co-chairs Iain Klugman (MBA ’01), CEO and president of Communitech, and Jane Jantzi (BA ’96), director, Business Development at Deloitte, will be a unique celebration of Laurier's 100-year history – an interactive, energetic and exciting evening for alumni and community members. One lucky guest will win the scholarship door prize to have the new Second Century Entrance Scholarship named after them. The event takes place at the Bingemans Ballroom, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Oct. 30, the official anniversary date of Laurier’s centennial, a video highlighting the numerous special events that happened during Laurier’s centennial year will be released on Laurier’s YouTube channel. Visit www.youtube.com/LaurierVideo at 1 p.m. to watch the video.

Tickets for both opera events can be purchased by calling 519-888-4908. For more information, contact Kimberly Barber, administrative coordinator for Laurier’s Opera Program, at 519-884-0710 ext. 2505 or kbarber@wlu.ca.